Supreme Court of the United States

United States v. City and County of San Francisco

April 22, 1940310 U.S. 16

Summary

Justice Black's opinion held that the Raker Act required municipal sale and distribution of Hetch-Hetchy power directly to consumers and prohibited San Francisco's arrangement with Pacific Gas & Electric Company, regardless of its characterization as an agency or consignment. Congress constitutionally imposed those conditions through its authority over federal property, and the United States was entitled to an injunction enforcing them. Administrative interpretations could not defeat the statute, nor could unauthorized official conduct estop the Government. The Court reversed the Circuit Court, affirmed the District Court's injunction, and remanded to the District Court. Justice McReynolds stated, without separate reasoning, that he would affirm the Circuit Court of Appeals.

Holding

  • Scope and application of § 6 of the Raker Act.. Section 6 required municipal sale and distribution of Hetch-Hetchy power directly to consumers and prohibited the City's transfer of those functions to Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
  • Constitutionality of the grant conditions.. Congress constitutionally could require public distribution of Hetch-Hetchy power as a condition of granting rights in federal property.
  • Availability of injunctive enforcement.. An injunction enforcing the grant conditions was appropriate and necessary despite the City's equitable objections.
  • Effect of administrative interpretations and asserted estoppel.. Administrative rulings could not thwart the statute's plain purpose, and unauthorized conduct by federal officers could not estop the United States from enforcing it.

Docket 587

Cited authorities

  • 38 Stat. 242
  • 38 Stat. 250

Cited by

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